When an elderly person or an ill person needs permanent or temporary health care, they usually meet with their family and together they discuss the possibilities of home health care that they can access. Even a patient with Alzheimer's can continue to live at home until a very advanced stage of the disease. In fact, according to Faivish Pewzner, Chief Operating Officer of the Americare Companies, 90% of patients with these pathologies do so.
In general, the most frequent possibilities analyzed by families involved in this process are: starting a job search for one or more independent nurses or caregivers, or hiring a company that provides home health care services. Both possibilities have their advantages.
The advantages of hiring a home healthcare company that guarantees the professionalism of the future caregiver of our loved one are undoubted. In fact, they can take care of all the health needs that arise and almost all the activities of the patient, so that he can continue to live a life as normal as possible.
In companies such as Americare, where Faivish Pewzner serves as the COO, it is common for a coordinator or human resources manager to interview the patient and the family to see what the needs are, and in a way create a patient's profile and the type of caregiver that the family prefers or needs. These professionals are highly experienced in selecting the appropriate caregiver, and often offer to meet with some candidates.
In an interview, the patient and his family will get to know the person who will provide the services. How do you know if this person will meet your expectations? Will it be possible to communicate comfortably? Will she be kind and treat our loved one very well? Companies like Americare have perfected their selection processes, but it never hurts to take these conditions into account before deciding:
CHARACTERISTICS THAT A GOOD HOME CAREGIVER SHOULD HAVE:
1. Professional experience: home caregivers provide different types of services, and although companies take care of the professional training of their caregivers, it never hurts to ask about specific experience in the type of service you need. If you have a family member with diabetes, ask about their experiences with diabetes and ask for references, suggests Faivish Pewzner.
Then contact those references and, if possible, talk with the people who had direct contact with the caregiver candidate. If he or she will have to cook, for example, ask about what type of cuisine he/she prefers to do and if he/she knows what type of food a patient with your relative or loved one's condition should avoid.
2. Good physical and emotional condition: a good caregiver must be physically fit and have a solid physical constitution. Patients cared for by caregivers are often too frail to do everyday things themselves, so it is important that the caregiver has the physical strength or stamina to help when it is time to bathe or if the patient needs to move from room to room.
Many studies analyze the influence of the caregiver on the psychological state of the patient, especially in cases of dementia. The condition of the patient that improves or worsens their health has a great impact on the physical and mental health of the caregiver.
As humans, it is very difficult for caregivers not to be emotionally affected by their patients. It is also natural for a caregiver to form a genuine bond with their patient, helping the caregiver to do their job better. However, this link could be inconvenient, especially if the patient is seriously ill or dying. The caregiver needs to remain emotionally stable despite being affected, for the maximum benefit of the patient.
Another tip that Faivish Pewzner suggests is to ask the caregiver about his medical record and how he has handled patient loss cases in the past.
3. Be compassionate: to provide the patient with the best possible care, it is important that the caregiver has a personal understanding and connection with what their patient is going through. Being able to feel empathy and compassion allows the caregiver to put themselves in the shoes of the patient, and to identify and alleviate the patient's fears or discomfort.
Ask the candidate why they chose this profession. Good caregivers list a factor of compassion or a desire for service among their motivations. Remember that this person will spend a lot of time with your loved one, find out what other activities or interests the interviewee has that may be compatible or conflicting with the patient in need of care.
4. Be patient: one of the most demanded qualities in a home caregiver of sick people or those who cannot take care of themselves is patience. This profession is not for everyone. In addition, people suffering from cognitive impairment due to age, disability, dementia or Alzheimer's are very difficult to care for.
Patience and flexibility are qualities that every person who works with people care must have. There will be many obstacles along the way: the patient is stubborn and uncooperative, the program does not go as planned, or difficult situations arise. A caregiver who is very rigid will find it difficult to deal with these circumstances in a positive way.